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I haven’t been blogging much or updating the log.md file on the repo. I’ve been LEARNING!

This week has been filled with Java homework, chapters to read, terms to review, MeetUps to attend, code to code, podcast to listen to and so much more.

Since I last posted, I’ve been coding in Java, JavaScript, HTML/CSS(Bootstrap) and took a look at PHP. I’ve read about classes, methods, boolean relational operators, De Morgan’s Laws, algorithms, DOM and dynamic content. I’ve listened to podcasts about Woman programmers in the 60’s and SVG images. I also attended two MeetUps, one for GDI Philly and one for Full Stack JavaScript. Being around other coders was invigorating and such a learning experience. It’s difficult learning a new skill in a vacuum. Having a community from which to draw inspiration, help when you need it and insight from is what I appreciate most about learning to code and using social media as a conduit.

Here’s a fun fact: the woman that Saron interviewed on Episode 125, replied to a tweet about a blog post I did on women in code. It was the SAME day I’d listened to the podcast. So, when she replied to me, the name was so familiar. I went back to the podcast and low and behold, it WAS her. We exchanged a few tweets as she spoke about the report my blog referenced. She suggested I read her book and reach out to her for encouragement whenever I needed it! What a super cool coincidence.

Next Up!

I’m taking this blog post to catch you all up on what I’ve done since day 21.

Day 22 • FCC Tribute page finished!!!

Day 23 • Started FCC bootstrap portfolio… work in progress

Day 24 • Still working on FCC bootstrap portfolio page. Also, Java readings for class.

Day 26 • I paid for Codecademy Pro and did a few projects: Continent & Cities app, Loan calc app & OOP lesson.

Day 27 • I did the Java Codecademy calculator APP project.

Day 28 • I went to a JavaScript MeetUp and we learned about JavaScript ‘use strict’ & had a DOM code challenge. I was sufficiently challenged.

Day 29 • I had Java reading on Theory from my textbooks & I Started droid project.

Day 30 • Today was the Codecademy Droid project. I struggled a bit yesterday when I added the main method before the instructions asked me to. Today, did a rip and replace, working on it in NetBeans to keep the formatting pretty. At the end, it worked.

All and all, a super busy week. My next course (PHP/MySQL) starts Thursday, so I’ll probably keep my posts to once a week for the remainder of the challenge. Here’s to a great semester!

TipCalc

I approached my Tipcal app today and got it working. My light bulb moment finally came! Things were clearer and I figured out what I needed to research. I’m marking today off as a WIN!

There are a few other things I want to add to the app:

Add bootstrap or make responsive on mobile

Media Query to remove slider div on mobile

Create favicon

Add comments to code

Create my own 404 page

A clearer head prevailed.

Contributing to Open Source

Today, in the CodeNewbie twitter chat, we talked about contributing to open source There were so many great questions posed. The answers were even more revealing about what we thing about when we hear the words open source.

Q1: Let’s start with some word association! When you hear “open source”, what comes to mind? #CodeNewbie

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For me, it’s fear of the unknown, imposter syndrome and being in over my head. I found out, I wasn’t alone. Many of us new coder have to deal with what we think we know verses what we have to offer. What I discovered was that I do have something to offer and there are projects for me out there, I just need to know where to look. A great thing happened, call it serendipity, @CodeForPhilly was on the chat and commented on one of my answers.

I’ve wanted to join A Code for Philly MeetUp for sometime, but they are always on Tuesday evening. That’s when I teach a class at a local gym, so I haven’t had the opportunity to go. It’s been on my list to find out about some of the great things they’re doing right here in my back yard and tonight drove it home. I signed up for the Code for Philly site and I can’t wait to see where I can make a contribution to projects that affect my city.

Docker MeetUp

All in all, a very productive evening. I also went to a MeetUp in Wilmington, DE with Docker Wilmington. Learned a bit about Docker, had a great meal, networked, and came home with some super swag! Today was WIN-WIN-WIN! This tech girl is TIRED! Until tomorrow…
#100daysofCode
#CodeNewbie

Today’s coding was in the form of short programs in the 1st chapter of my textbook from my Java 1 class and Codeacademy. I didn’t push them to Github and I’m trying to decide if that’s even a good idea. I don’t plan on paying for the option to keep some of my repos private, so I’ll keep weighing the options. As for my Java class, I spent a bit of time reading over the history of computer programming from Assembly Language, Fortran and Algol to JavaScript, Swift and Ruby. It was really eye opening to see where programming came from the various problems it tries to solve. I’m sure there will be a quiz on this somewhere down the line.

In Codeacademy, it wants me to upgrade to Pro, so in the Learn Java dashboard, most of the activities are inaccessible. However, there are several links to external resources, most are from the Java Documentation. It’s very well written and understandable. I guess if I’d never seen any of this in action, I’d have no idea what they were talking about. However, it really nailed a lot of points home for me like data types and flow control statements. There are some topics that I’ll need to revisit, like access to classes, but the information that was suggested by Codeacademy was most helpful.

Here’s to another day of coding. I really think I’m going to nail this challenge and keep on going and going! There is so much to learn and I’m enjoying it, even the mistakes.

Today I was able to gain access to my course materials for the Java class I’m taking at a local college and they were plentiful. I started reading over them to get an idea of what’s expected this semester. It looks like a lot will be required, but there is a lot of material to cover and hopefully exercises to reinforce it. I’m hopeful and excited all at the same time. Since there was no coding that I could do without having read the first chapter, I’ve taken to Codeacademy (as was suggested in the course CMS) to get some experience on Java.

I emailed the materials to my Kindle so I can read them during my commute. I’m going to keep at Codeacademy and my Java in 21 days book until I reach a real assignment. There is plenty of reading that’s required. I hope the amount of doing matches up.

I’m taking a Java class this semester at a local college. Class starts next week and I’ve never programmed in Java before, so I’m switching gears this weekend to learn the basics before class starts on the 17th. I’m using a book called “Sams Teach Yourself Java™ in 21 Days (Covering Java 8), Seventh Edition” by Rogers Cadenhead. I’ve installed NetBeans and created my first project. I’m muddy on classes and objects and methods, but I’m getting the inheritance and superclass and subclass stuff. I know that methods in Java are basically functions in JavaScript, so that makes a bit more sense.

With the long holiday weekend, I hope get get thorough at least day 5. We shall see. I’ll definitely have to get a workout in somewhere in here and not stay seated for the next 72 hours. When I need a brain break, I’ll revisit my tipcalc and get the drop down’s option to be assigned to the variable correctly I’m so close, but I haven’t a solid block of time to work on it this week. Birthday’s, work and teaching will do that to you.

Free Code Camp was all I could do. I did, however, finish the HTML5 & CSS section and remembered some nuances that didn’t seem obvious until putting them into practice. For example, all check boxes and radio buttons must have the same name attribute. I actually know WHY now, thanks to my tip calc app that I put on hold.

Now that I’m off vacation, I’m finding it hard to find 1 straight hour. Breaking it up into 30 minute sections is what has gotten me thought the day. Thanks to this challenge, I may actually LEARN & retain what I’ve learned.

Lastly, there is someone I follow on Twitter, @xopixell who also has a YouTube Channel that has great HTML & CSS tutorials. I started watching one and starting changing the header and NAV on my tip calc. She is very easy to follow, so be sure to check her out and subscribe.
Oh, Saturday is my birthday and I doubt very much if there will be a post or any coding then.

Busy day at work so I was relegated to just reading up on JavaScript during my commute. I was reading JavaScript for Web Developers from A Book Apart (ABP). After the wall I hit, I need some clarity and YDKJS is a bit wordy and confusing. ABP is known for their approachable reading in a book of no more than 100 pages. Since this isn’t ‘coding’ I had to do something to keep my fingers busy as well. I’m tackling Free Code Camp before going to bed. I even had to bounce out of the CodeNewbie Twitter Chat to get this hour in.

Not a stellar day, but I promised myself I’d do this for 100 days, so I have to stay committed. Here’s to the fog lifting and a better day tomorrow.